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Smocking is a form of surface embroidery worked around pleated fabric. Uniformity of the gathering (pleats) is
most important. Ways to form uniform and evenly spaced pleats are dot transfer method, gathering pleats on dotted swiss fabric, gathering the pleats on striped fabric, gathering pleats on gingham fabric. While using checked (gingham) or striped materials, dots are not necessary
as the pattern can be used as a guide for the gathering . In case of
stripes, horizontal lines have to be ruled on the back of the material in order to
keep the rows straight.

Dot Transfer Method Pleating Instruction:All smocking dots should be transferred to the wrong side of the fabric.

Pick few threads of fabric at intersection of two ( vertical and horizontal) lines as shown in above picture.

In my previous post we learnt to make Dorset button. Now lets learn to make Mandala flower around Dorset button using macrame knots. To work Mandala flower we need 7 different colored threads , each measuring around 30 cm.

Once laying done around Dorset button and before ribbed spider web stitch, we need to add petals to flower using Lark's Head knot. Observing above picture, add petals around button as shown in below pictures.

Gently push the knot towards ring and it should be firm. Same way finish rest of seven petals. Across each spoke you find gap, so at every gap add one one petal, overall you get eight petals.

After adding all petals base, then work ribbed spider web stitch inside the wheel.

Before starting with macrame knot, pin 7 petal threads and leaving one petal thread to work.

Macrame is believed to be a form of textile making using different types of knots rather than weaving. Where as Chinese knot is decorative traditional knot began as handicraft art. Both are basically knots yet unique in their own way.

This pattern in above picture is also called as " Mandala Flower ". But to this i added Dorset button in center.

Dorset button are handmade buttons which became international business, but gradually declined as machine made buttons were introduced .

To make basic Dorset button, we require rings. It may be plastic, metal or wood. I have used plastic ring having diameter 1.5 cm.

To start with, firstly start with casting the ring. I have used three strands of thread for casting. Tie a knot on ring as shown in below picture.

Next work buttonhole stitch very closely around ring, make sure loops formed while working butto…

Hi we talked little bit on chikankari embroidery in my earlier post " Introduction on chikankari".
As mentioned chikankari is not just herringbone stitch done from backside of fabric, apart from having around 30 unique stitches in chikan, it also has badla/mukaish work, jali work, kamdani, applique work.

In some of lucknowi embroidery you can also find crochet edging to enhance its beauty. Authentic chikankari during Mughal period had calligraphy done using applique work.

This above picture really does not justify the work beauty. This chikankari embroidered salwar suit , i bought it long back to know more about its applique work, jali work, stitches in chikankari. Observe above picture, outside of each motif applique work is done, with same base fabric. The entire suit is done in this similar way.

As you can see in above picture, small length of crochet edging has been done. Crochet edging may be done at the bo…

About Me

Hello, art work, painting occupied me at very young age. Although i admired embroidery, it was not my cup of tea untill my sister inspired me with her work. My mother being my first teacher started to explore embroidery. This blog is to share my view, little bit experiment. Hope you all like it.